Christmas preparations and year-end deadlines have gotten the better of me this week, so I will leave tonight’s stories to one of my favourite jazzmen, Kurt Elling, whose set at New York City’s Birdland the other night included this gem from Mr. Wonder. Something about the sentiment and the setting scream Christmas hope to me. Maybe to you, too.

I’ll be back with you a new story from me next Sunday.

And while you’re at it, go ahead and bookmark this for your Christmas party or Christmas eve or Christmas morning — Kurt singing a dozen holiday songs accompanied by roaring yule log in the hearth.

Lux In Tenebris Lucet: Sunday, December 11

Day 14 of our 28-day Advent journey of mini-dispatches to give you pause and light.

Morning light creps in through a window. Piazza Navona, Rome.

The light at the edge of the curtain
Is the quiet dawn
The bedroom breathes
In clicks and clacks
Uneasy heartbeat, can’t relax
But then your hand takes mine
Thank God, I found you in time
Thank God, I found you
Thank God, I found you"
—Paul Simon, from “Love and Hard Times”

“Has anyone ever seen anything like this—dawn-fresh, moon-lovely, sun-radiant,
ravishing as the night sky with its galaxies of stars?”
—Song of Songs 6:10

Earlier essays on Advent:

You have not met yet everyone you will love, nor have you met yet everyone who will love you.

As we look toward the light that Advent summons, may we be brave and kind.

Much love to you all,

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Sunday Stories: Overjoyed